Town new boy Tom Lawrence is excited by the prospect of linking up again with fellow countryman Jonny Williams at Portman Road.

The pair are both 22 and have been team-mates at various international levels over the years — and Williams was the first person Lawrence sounded out about the prospect of a temporary move to Suffolk.

Lawrence, who has arrived on a season-long loan from Leicester, said: “I spoke to Jonny about coming here because he obviously knows the club well from his previous loan spells here.

“I look forward to teaming up with him once his injury clears up and I can’t wait to get going.

“I want to get going at Reading on Friday night but I know I will have to wait before I’m in the same team as Jonny because he has an ankle injury at the moment.

“I’ve played alongside him quite a few times at different age groups and I think we’re on the same wavelength so we should be able to link up well if we get the chance once he’s fit again.”

Lawrence reflected on how he can best assist Town, adding: “I would say the number 10 role is my best position but I’m here to do a job for the team so I don’t mind where I’m asked to play.

“I also like to play on the left, cutting in on my right foot, so it’s really between that and the number 10 for my best position.

“I’ve played in quite a few games behind the scenes and I feel as if I’m ready to go. I want to stake my claim to be in the side at Reading, or at least involved in some way, and I’ll be doing as much as I can.

“I know I haven’t had much competitive action but I hope it won’t be long before the fans see the best of me.

“When I went to Blackburn last year it took me two or three games to get into it but I was playing my best football after that.

“Hopefully I’ll be straight into it here but if not I’m sure it will come. Because of international commitments I only had my first day’s training here on Wednesday and I look forward to getting to know all the lads properly.”

Asked what manager Mick McCarthy had said regarding his prospects of gaining a first team place, Lawrence replied: “He has told me I will have to work hard to get into the team and to stay there.

“That’s what I expect wherever I go and I’ll be looking to push my way into the team.

Photo: Action Images

Popeye added 06:55 - Sep 8 Just hopping jonny can get fit and keep fit!
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Len_Brennan added 07:00 - Sep 8 Looking at the players we now have, & how MM has set the team up in recent games, I'd imagine Lawrence will be handed the role of left side in a front 3, with Ward on the right & Pitman, Sears or Best battling for the slightly more advanced central striker role. That would look to be a very direct, pacey & potent forward line if they get the right ball played to them. With Williams injured, the midfield trio, if Grant has come through the u-23 game ok, should be Bishop, Skuse & Grant, which should allow for retention of possession & delivery of the passing required by the forwards. That would be asking a lot of Skuse defensively, so MM might prefer Douglas or Bru to start instead of Bishop away from home or against sides with a strong combative midfield. We know who the back 4 will be. ........................... Bart Chambers, Webster, Berra, Knudsen ........... Bishop, Skuse, Grant ..... Ward, Pitman, Lawrence

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terryf added 08:17 - Sep 8 Agree with Len's choice but suspect he'll go with Douglas instead of Bishop and Sears for Lawrence. Just hope as the season progresses MM will be a little more adventurous with the Team he selects and takes advantage of the players now at his disposal and plays a passing game. Trouble is one bad result and he's likely to revert to plan A as he did after Reading last year!!

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Rowski added 09:03 - Sep 8 Micks not changing that defence going into an away game, Smith will definitely keep his place. I also can't see Mick dishing out debuts in a game we lost 5-1 last year, he will go with tried and tested battlers. I think it will be; .................. Bart Chambers, Smith, Berra, Knudsen ....... Bru, Skuse, Douglas ....... Ward, Pitman, Sears Bishops not fit enough to start in a game like this and none of the new boys are ready for anything other than cameo appearances, but at least we have options from the bench to shake things up a bit.

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TimmyH added 10:59 - Sep 8 Agree with Rowski - Mick won't shake anything up straight away, Smith will keep his place, we have a far more potent bench if more or less the above starting line up isn't working out. Just a case of Mick getting his tactics and starting 11 correct now...far more pressure on him to get this right now!
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